FOUR schools in East Lancashire were celebrating today after being told by the Government they have been awarded beacon status.

The prestigious scheme is designed to reward high achieving schools and improve education and teaching standards.

The four are Laneshawbridge Primary, near Colne, Withnell Fold Primary, Manor Road Primary, Clayton-le-Woods, and Southlands High School, Chorley.

Schools standards minister Estelle Morris announced today that 70 schools in the North West, including 13 in Lancashire, have been picked for the honour.

She said: "Beacon schools are playing a vital role in the drive to raise standards in classrooms by sharing approaches to teaching and passing on expertise across the curriculum.

"Schools can now draw on a growing national network which is spreading best practice in education.

"The additional funding granted to beacon schools, around £32,000 a year, provides other schools and teachers with a valuable and worthwhile learning experience.

"It is clear beacon schools are already having an impact on standards and are playing a major role in reinstating values of co-operation and sharing, encouraging schools to collaborate rather than compete with one another."

Eileen Bleasdale, head of Laneshawbridge Primary -- the only school in Pendle to receive the accolade this year -- said: "It's a great feather in our cap. It recognises the hard work that goes on by everybody at the school."

Laneshawbridge was invited by the DfEE to apply for Beacon status after an outstanding Ofsted inspection in March 1998 and consistently high SATs results over recent years. "Beacon status is the culmination of all that hard work and efforts over a number of years," she added.

Sue Teale, head at Withnell Fold, said: "This means a lot to our school and we can now look forward to sharing our expertise with other local schools.

"This recognises all the hard work and our achievements over the last 12 months."

Audrey Livesey, the deputy head at Manor Road Primary at Clayton-le-Woods, said: "We are really delighted about the news, which recognises all the wonderful work that has gone on at the school.

"We have had two excellent Ofsted reports and our recent SAT tests results were the second best in the country.

"This school is not just about academic results but they have helped us to win Beacon status."

Headteacher John Lawson at Southlands High, Chorley, said: "This is a very special moment for everyone connected with Southands and I am delighted.

"Beacon school status is based, we believe, on our particular strengths in curriculum development and our track record of achieving consistently outstanding examination results." Lancashire education chairman Hazel Harding added: "I am delighted that once again our schools have been recognised by the DfEE.

"It is also good to know that other schools will benefit from the scheme and bring communities closer together."